Wabi is a charming toddler from Ethiopia. He delights in playing with his peers and enjoys watching animated movies. He is the first child in his family, bringing immense joy to his parents. His mother sells vegetables on the street while his father works as a daily laborer. Wabi was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, Wabi is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 23rd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Wabi's mother shared, "There were times when I felt hopeless, but I truly believe that God has a perfect plan to support my child. I am immensely grateful for all the assistance we've received."

Nebrida is 40 years old and a farmer from Malawi. She is married and has three children aged 17, 15, and 12. Together with her husband, they rely heavily on farm produce. However, this year, they faced challenges due to poor rainfall. In 2007, Nebrida began to experience troubling symptoms, including a neck swelling that grew bigger by the day and was associated with neck heaviness, breathlessness, and an inability to carry heavy items on her head. Despite many hospital visits, nothing much was done, causing her to stay home and endure the pain. Last month, she learnt about our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center, and decided to seek treatment. She was diagnosed with a goiter, which is an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Nebrida receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 16th, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. Nebrida said, "I wish I could get better and do my daily activities again."

Edith is a 58-year-old woman from Uganda who practices small-scale farming to provide for her family. She and her husband have ten children, with their oldest being 36 years old. For the past two years, Edith has had a right inguinal hernia. The hernia is very painful and has grown in size over time. Due to the severe pain she experiences, Edith has visited different medical centers for treatment, but nothing has alleviated her symptoms. Fortunately, on September 15th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once completed, this procedure will allow her to live more comfortably and confidently! Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $170 to fund Edith's surgery. Edith says, "I pray that I may get well through surgery. I believe I will live a better and pain-free life. I will continue with farming after complete recovery."

Owembabazi is a bursar from Uganda and a single mother of a 4-year-old. She is not married yet because, she shared, she has not yet met a suitable man. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and works as an assistant bursar at a secondary school in Uganda. She currently lives with her mother and likes listening to Gospel music during her free time. Three weeks ago, she developed severe abdominal and back pains that restrict her from even bending down easily and sleeping. She decided to come to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Rushoroza Hospital to seek medical advice. At Rushoroza, she presented with a history of left severe pain associated with an ovarian mass that has been progressively increasing in size. If not treated, severe pain could stop her from doing her day to day activities. It could also be cancerous thus spreading to other body organs. Owembabazi has been sidelined by the COVID19 situation because she no longer receives a salary since the schools closed in March. She is currently on her own and seeks financial support. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Owembabazi receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a curative laporotomy, a surgery to remove cancerous tissue, on October 7th at our medical partner's care center. This procedure will cost $284, and Owembabazi needs your support. Owembabazi says, “I pray that I get well through surgery because I am in severe pain. I will resume my usual duties as an assistant bursar once the government lifts the ban on secondary schools.”

Aung is a 15-year-old novice monk from Hpa-An. He lives with other monks in the monastery. His parents own a piece of land where his father and oldest brother grow vegetables and fruits for sale. The family also grows vegetables for their own consumption. He was born with encephalocele and it was the size of a fingerprint. It grew bigger over the years and was the same size for the last three years before receiving surgery in 2015. He also suffers from hydrocephalus and he received ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP) in 2016. Two months ago, Aung developed headaches and his head has grown bigger on the right side. At that time, his father bought medicine from the pharmacy to reduce his headaches. He took it for two days, but he did not feel better. Later on, his father took him to Hpa-An hospital where he received a blood test and x-ray. The doctor suggested his father to take him to Yangon but his father returned to Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) in Mae Sot instead of going to Yangon. On February 25th, he arrived at MTC and he was referred to Watsi Medical Partner's Care Center Mae Sot Hospital to be seen the next day. At MSH, the doctor recommended a CT scan, which Watsi donors have also generously supported, and with these results Aung's father was told that doctors need to replace Aung's VP shunt as the previous shunt from 2016 is blocked. Aung’s father said, “I am very worried for him as he is my son and I hope that he will be healthy as soon as possible. In the future, I want him to be a monk for the rest of his life. Because I know my other older sons will not take good care of him as he is not a healthy boy. If he stays at the temple, he can be able to sleep and eat regularly."

Chance is a six-year-old boy from Uganda. His lives with his parents and sister. His parents work as seasonal farmers and depend on favorable climate conditions to produce abundant crops. When Chance was two years old, his mother noticed a swelling in his groin. She took him to the government hospital but could not access a doctor. In order for Chance to receive proper medical care, his mother needed to take him to a private hospital, but it was too expensive. After learning about Watsi, Chance's mother took him to our medical partner's care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital. On January 25, Chance will undergo a hydrocele repair, in which the fluid will be drained from his groin. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is asking for $185 to cover the cost of labs, medication, and surgical supplies. Chance enjoys nursery school, and he particularly likes learning English. He is excited to get well so he can continue school in February of 2017. He also looks forward to playing soccer with his best friend, Allan.

Oscar is a twelve-month-old baby from Guatemala. He has been diagnosed with malnutrition. Oscar has had little energy to grow, and his immune system is weak, leaving him vulnerable to illnesses that further compromise his growth. Oscar's father works hard as a day laborer, but his income is limited. His mother takes care of the household. His parents want the best for him, but they cannot afford treatment for their son. On January 12, Oscar will begin malnutrition treatment. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Oscar recover. Treatment will give Oscar’s family tools to maintain nutritious diets. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $437 to fund this treatment. “With your help, I know my son will get better, so that he grows healthy," says Oscar's mother. "When he is big, he can become a doctor."